How To Clean A Black Soldering Iron Tip

Wire wool has the advantage of not cooling down the soldering iron too much and you dont have to wait for the iron to get its desired temperature.

How to clean a black soldering iron tip. First use a wet sponge to wipe off the tip before soldering. Use a damp sponge to clean the tip and wipe it off quickly to avoid cooling the tip excessively. You can also use stainless steel pot scrubber as long as it is dry to prevent transmitting the heat.

Do not clean it off before youre done the solder layer keeps the metal of the iron from oxidizing and easily cleans off next time the iron gets hot. Each time you clean the soldering iron and put it away apply a fresh solder to the tip. A soldering tip should be regularly cleaned and tinned and take an abrasive to it as needed to keep it smooth and free from pitting.

How to Tin or Re-Tin Soldering Iron Tip. Dip the tip into the tinner making sure that the entire oxidized surface is in contact with the re-tinning product. This is done by first ensuring the tip is clean and free of surface oxides.

Clean the tip with a brass cleaning sponge. The black stuff is oxidized solder and or iron from the tip plating. Never use abrasives on the soldering iron tip.

It took a lot of effort with tip tinnercleaning compound to make the solder wet the tip again. In 2-3 minutes I had tinned as soon as it started to melt the lead and almost 2 minutes after soldering immediately the black coating covered the entire tinned tip. Push the soldering iron tip into the chemical cleaner until the entire rusted area is submerged.

Take either a wet sponge or wire wool. Use a protective layer of solder The easiest way to prevent oxidation of a solder tip is to protect it with a layer of solder. Wipe OFF the solder on the Cleaning Sponge or Copper Wool.